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May 07, 2018
Read how of the 15 housing bills designed in large part to incentivize affordable housing projects, address two of the biggest challenges for agencies and developers alike: funding and cumbersome review processes. This post details SB540, AB73 and SB3.
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November 01, 2017
Responding to what he and many experts have deemed a housing crisis, Governor Brown recently signed 15 bills aimed at stimulating affordable housing development in the most efficient ways possible. These laws have major implications for municipalities and developers alike.
October 13, 2017
The passage of Senate Bill 231, signed by Governor Brown on October 6th, gives agencies an important new tool to fund infrastructure programs.
September 26, 2017
Harris helps with the emergency repair of Monterey County’s Palo Colorado Road after fire and heavy rains led to the creeks blowing out part of the road and cutting off more than 60 homes from the outside world.
August 28, 2017
Learn how the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB1) expanded the California Transportation Commission's role and responsibilities for transportation projects.
August 08, 2017
Learn about new guidelines for the Active Transportation Program (ATP), which receives $100 million per year in new funding via SB1. This means $200 million in new money is now available for projects in fiscal years 2017-18 and 2018-19
June 29, 2017
With new transportation funding on the way from the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB1), learn what the next steps are for your agency in order to get ready to capture the first funds available.
June 14, 2017
Discover how MTC's StreetSaver® pavement management program (PMP) software gives agencies granular details and reports about their pavement assets so decision makers can make empowered judgements about how to manage them.
June 08, 2017
For many water utilities, a larger portion of revenue recovery has historically been accomplished through its variable pricing component, and yet from a cost of service standpoint water utilities typically incur a higher level of fixed costs compared to costs that vary with water usage.
June 06, 2017
Often agencies want to address what seems to be their most pressing pavement issues first because their budget won’t cover every need. However, we often find counterintuitive results that can help them squeeze 30% more value from their budgets. Learn how using a pavement management program to make data-driven decisions can generate better results and save money over the long term.
May 15, 2017
Three trenchless innovations worth knowing from the 2017 No-Dig Show including better pipe lining for water mains, HDPE welding, and shotcrete shaft lining.
May 03, 2017
Review best practices for soils, trenching and shoring safety on the construction site. Even experienced construction crews benefit from periodic reminders of how to protect life, property and mitigate these types of risks around trenches
March 28, 2017
Floodplain issues demand constant attention: new risks, runoff, you name it. It’s not your choice to forgo maintenance or improvements, but you don’t have the funds to cover it all. What do you do?
March 23, 2017
Learn stakeholder outreach techniques water utilities can use to help securing support for water infrastructure funding.
December 06, 2016
How can a city feel confident about a large design-build project when it has less control over the process? When Harris' Gary Beach is on the project to represent the City’s interests and ensure the details of every day’s work deliver on DB’s potential.
July 27, 2016
Public finance expert Dennis Anderson discusses the recent case of Sacramento Taxpayers Association, et al., v. County of Sacramento, et al., in which the Superior Court of California (County of Sacramento) overturned a property owner-approved special assessment created by the Carmichael Recreation and Park District. Dennis highlights valuable lessons for all public agencies considering similar assessments.
June 26, 2016
Harris & Associates' Director of Marketing & Communications Nathan M. Couch discusses an approach to rebuilding an A/E/C industry intranet through knowledge management best practices.
June 08, 2016
Project Manager and former PG&E employee Rocco Colicchia walks through the steps cities can take to set up a utility undergrounding program and maximize funding.
May 26, 2016
Construction Manager Eric Jackson discusses his project with the Padre Dam Municipal Water District.
May 03, 2016
Transportation infrastructure is deteriorating. Funding for transportation projects is dwindling. Here are some ideas how agencies can maximize their existing funding.
May 02, 2016
Senior Project Manager Bobby Pentorali discusses his latest project: Monterey's Holman Highway 68 Roundabout
April 20, 2016
Gary Yagade continues his discussion of the next generation of engineers and the need for the A/E/C industry to focus on recruiting them.
February 25, 2016
Harris Director Frank Lopez hosts a Q&A with Mitch Avalon, a consultant to the County Engineers Association of California and driving force behind the Stormwater Initiative.
February 02, 2016
This post previews the upcoming whitepaper and NASTT No-Dig Show presentation of Harris trenchless technology experts Kyle Carbert and Vern Phillips on best practices for HDPE welding in high pressure applications.
January 13, 2016
In Director Sam Yaghmaie's grand finale of his Washington Gas Tax series he discusses how we can use technology, innovations, and different planning strategies to ensure a more sustainable and effective transportation system.
January 04, 2016
We should be proud that Washington State is among the first eight states to approve a recurring revenue package in the interest of improving transportation infrastructure with critical funding needs. Unfortunately, the priorities are backward in the $16 billion Connecting Washington Transportation Package.
December 02, 2015
Vice President of CM Christopher Dunne discusses the nuances between construction management, program management and project management and why a better understanding of these roles leads to success.
November 17, 2015
Sustainability is the capacity to endure; it is how biological systems remain diverse and productive indefinitely. It is a global issue that crosses borders, politics, race, social status, religion.
November 09, 2015
In this post, Senior CM Daniel Sicile-Kira showcases the lighter side of construction management, re-capping some of the valuable lessons he's learned when projects didn't always go as planned.
November 04, 2015
Ehab Gerges discusses operational excellence in the context of the A/E/C industry: what it means and how it can help your business succeed.
October 28, 2015
At Harris & Associates, we know that our clients work within an ever-changing landscape. To understand the challenges at hand, we go straight to the source.Recently, we sat down with Donald Wilcox, Public Works Director for the City of Soledad, California.
October 05, 2015
Lisa Larrabee discusses water trends after her recent attendance at the U.S. Water Alliance conference in San Francisco.
September 29, 2015
Eric Jackson dispels misconceptions regarding the role of construction managers in today’s environment and defines the true value they are capable of bringing to all parties on every project.
September 21, 2015
The San Ramon Canyon Storm Drain Project was a practical and aesthetic success, and a model for other small cities.
September 14, 2015
In light of the recent Walker v. City of San Clemente case, Harris VP of Public Finance Dennis Klingelhofer offers expert advice for public agencies on AB1600 and development impact fees.
September 08, 2015
If I offered you a way to make your design and construction team collaborate better, improve productivity and save time, wouldn’t you take it? That’s the essence of building information modeling (BIM) or Virtual Design and Construction (VCD).
August 31, 2015
As standards and regulations of the ADA continuously evolve, how can public agencies reduce confusion, keep connected and stay "in the know" about the ever-changing accessibility laws pertaining to facilities within the public right-of-way?
August 24, 2015
It’s time for a new era of collaboration. For the good of their projects and their clients, architects and CMs need to—and can—come together as willing partners. Creating formalized relationships at the pre-construction phase, even the pre-design phase, will generate better results for all involved.
August 11, 2015
In June 2015, the Washington State Legislature approved a historic $16+ billion Connecting Washington Transportation Package to fund transportation infrastructure and services projects. While we definitely need infrastructure and funding, I must ask: Will we spend this money wisely?
August 03, 2015
Under the latest California State Water Resources Control Board regulations, development projects must implement a Low Impact Development (LID) approach.
July 27, 2015
It's clear to me that we're going to need a new kind of engineer to deal with what's coming; the stereotypical one of the past just doesn’t have everything in the pocket protector to address these issues. But what are we to do? Here are some answers.
July 13, 2015
Scientific research facilities like Lawrence Berkeley National Labs' Chu Hall often have highly challenging construction environments. Read more about Chu Hall's unique building circumstances and how we were able to address them.
June 29, 2015
Are you finding it difficult to find funding to pay for critical infrastructure projects? With the passing of SB 626 in September 2014, EIFDs are a new government entity which allow for infrastructure to be funded by tax increment revenue.
June 08, 2015
Imagine a land with consistent population growth, endless sunshine and limited water resources…dream no more, this is the reality for California. Learn about how the Advanced Water Purification Demonstration plant at the Padre Dam Municipal Water District aims to address the state's water woes.
